Ham radios are not your average, day-to-day communications tool. Most people probably don’t know how to use them unless they’ve used one before or have at least heard of them.
But even if you never used one before, there is something you can do. You can learn some basic skills for using a ham radio as a means of communication during an unexpected disaster or urgent situation.
It’s important to note that while most amateur (ham) radio operators are licensed, this license does not give you automatic access to the resources available through the community.
In fact, many counties and towns ban individuals from operating their own equipment outside of what’s provided by corporations like Motorola, Kenwood, etc. That being said, it’s still possible to connect with other hams!
There are several ways to do this including social media apps like Discord or Skype, forums, and more. By interacting with others, you may be able to get help setting up your station, finding additional frequencies, or both.
Ham Radio Basics
There are two main ways to utilize amateur (ham) radios during an emergency. The first is as a communication tool, which includes using it for talking or listening. The second is for seeking help.
The word “amateur” means non-professional or novice. As such, most people don’t know how to effectively use a radio as a communication device.
However, there are some basic things that everyone should be able to do if needed. Some of these include scanning for transmissions, listening for messages, and knowing who to call when using the radio for contacting other agencies or individuals.
Scans can be done either by moving around a frequency range looking for something else broadcasting, or by jumping into a specific channel and staying there. It is important to remember that with any radio equipment, including ham radios, your signal strength will decrease over time due to battery drain. Make sure to always have enough power available to maintain quality communications.
Amateur Radio Licensing Requirements
Before you can use your amateur radio license for any purpose, you must first be licensed as an amateur operator. There are three main reasons to do this beyond just having fun!
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requires all individuals who work with radios — including those working with mobile or portable radios, such as cell phones, smart phones, or PDAs – to be licensed as amateurs. This includes using them for safety, search and rescue, public service, and more.
Amateur operators are also required by law to operate their equipment safely, according to FCC regulations. You will need to know how to correctly handle, maintain, and repair your radio gear before using it outside of a controlled setting.
Many community organizations ask that people with a qualified amateur radio license attend a meeting to ensure someone else’s operation is legal before allowing usage of the transmitter/receiver. Your local fire department, police force, or other important groups may have this requirement!
If you already have your general class A AM broadcast station operator’s license, you are good to go when it comes to getting your amateur radio license.
Using a HAM Radio During Emergencies
Ham radios are not new, but what makes them special is their versatility. You can easily learn how to operate one for emergencies. There are some things that may seem easy to do, but knowing how to properly use your station during an actual disaster or emergency can save someone’s life.
Most people know about amateur (ham) radio by the call sign they use when talking to other hams. These individuals usually work with very specific frequencies which make communication much easier.
By being familiar with the basics of operating a ham radio, you will know how to get help if there is an urgent need. More advanced users even contribute money to public service announcements so that others can get assistance as well!
There are several sources where you can find free information on using a ham radio effectively. However, it is important to remember that usage of paid equipment such as a radio is limited to only governmental agencies trained in its use.
General guidelines- When working with any kind of technology, we must always be aware of our limitations. For example, most radios have a range of less than a mile due to the way signals lose strength as they travel through the air.
This means that unless something goes wrong, you probably won’t need to use your radio beyond that! No matter whether you are just learning how to use one or you are an experienced user, this should give you some sense of confidence.
Learn about Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES)
During times of disaster, such as hurricanes, earthquakes or other natural disasters, our nation’s amateur radio operators are trained to help their community recover.
Many experienced hams offer free radio service to those affected by donating bandwidth so they can contact family and friends. They also may be able to assist with communication for rescue workers and agencies involved in recovery efforts.
Amateur radio is not officially sanctioned through federal government channels during emergencies, but it is definitely something we should know how to do if needed.
It is important to note that while most amateur radios have a built-in back up system, this does not mean your average person could operate it effectively without proper training!
So even though you don’t necessarily need to formally study radio communications, it won’t hurt to at least be familiar with the basics.
Understand how to operate a ham radio during emergencies
Having a way to communicate with people outside of your local area is very important when preparing for an unexpected disaster or crisis. Ham radios are one of the most popular types of communication equipment used for this purpose.
A ham radio operator is referred to as a “ham” because early amateur (or civilian) radio operators would wear bowties and say, “Hammer and stile!” while transmitting Morse code messages. Nowadays, hams typically use more professional-looking uniforms that do not require jewelry, but they will always have a thick manual close at hand!
Many people associate ham radios only with talking about things, but these transmitters can also be used to send signals – up until recently, it was even possible to use them to broadcast music! This makes them quite valuable in situations where there is no working mobile phone signal, or if someone else has access to a smartphone with service. [1]
There are several different brands of ham radios available around the world. Most contain the same basic features, though some may offer better quality transmissions than others. Some feature special functions such as digital voice recording which many experts recommend doing so you don’t forget what people said while chatting to you.
Know when to call 911
Even if you don’t have equipment, there are some basic things you can do to help someone else who does. Most importantly, know what agencies offer disaster assistance so you can tell people where they can get help.
If someone is injured, they may be able to coordinate care through local hospitals or first aid facilities. Medical professionals also work in teams, so even if you can’t communicate with them directly, you can ask if anyone knows of their colleagues that could help.
You can also search online for resources available near you by going into crisis mode using Google Maps or other map apps. Local police departments often have public safety radios that individuals and groups outside the department can access to provide help.
In addition to those, most countries have national organizations that many volunteers belong to that connect members with needed supplies and/or professional advice. These usually include food, water, medicine, and shelter.
Experts agree that listening to all kinds of frequencies (for amateur radio) and knowing how to handle yourself emotionally are important parts of being a good helper.
Find out where to find ARES resources
Ham radios are great tools that offer many benefits to users. They can be expensive, however!
There is an organization called Emergency Resource Services (ARES) that offers free amateur radio services to individuals and organizations during emergencies. This includes the activation of yourham radio as well as training for those who already have their license.
The ARES national headquarters as well as most state offices hold active licenses which they make available to members or non-members for use during an emergency.
These sites also contain important information about how to use a HAM radio effectively during an incident such as a disaster or urgent situation.
Is There a Ham Radio Emergency Service Near You?
Even if there is no way to contact your local repeater, or the general VHF/UHF band frequency does not look usable, there is another way to get help!
Most major cities have at least one organization that offers free ham radio service to those in need during emergencies. These organizations offer low-cost equipment to individuals who want to learn how to be a part of this resource. Some even provide pre-paid phone numbers so people can still connect with outside services!
These organized ham radio programs are always keeping up to date on software, hardware, and field supplies so they can teach other users about them. They also hold regular “open nights” where anyone can visit and try out the equipment for themselves!
This article will talk more about these opportunities and what ones should know about them before taking part.